We join with you in lifting this burden before the Lord, for we know the struggle of seeking approval from man rather than God is a snare that entangles many. Your heart’s cry to steward your business, family, and life for the Kingdom is a godly desire, and we commend you for recognizing that your identity must be rooted in Christ alone—not in success, productivity, or the opinions of others. The fear of man is a trap, but the fear of the Lord leads to life (Proverbs 29:25). You have spoken truth over yourself, and we stand with you in declaring it before the throne of grace.
The Scripture warns us, *"No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and money"* (Luke 16:13, WEB). While your struggle may not be money itself, the principle applies—when we seek validation from work, people, or worldly success, we are serving an idol rather than the Lord. Workaholism is often a subtle form of idolatry, where we look to our labor to provide what only Christ can: worth, security, and love. But Jesus calls us to lay these burdens down, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). He does not measure us by our productivity but by our faith in Him.
You have also rightly acknowledged that one day, we will all stand before Christ, the righteous Judge. As Scripture says, *"For we must all be revealed before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad"* (2 Corinthians 5:10, WEB). On that day, the only thing that will matter is whether we lived for Him—whether we loved Him above all else and walked in obedience to His Word. Success in business, the admiration of employees, or even the appearance of a "perfect" family will mean nothing if we have not sought first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
We also hear your heart for your family—for your marriage and children. The enemy would love to distract you with work and perfectionism, stealing the time and presence you could be giving to those the Lord has entrusted to you. *"Unless the Lord builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain"* (Psalm 127:1, WEB). Your family is your first ministry, and no amount of business success can replace the godly legacy of leading them in the ways of the Lord. We encourage you to intentionally carve out time to nurture your marriage, disciple your children, and model what it looks like to rest in Christ rather than strive in your own strength.
Now, let us pray together over these things:
Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our brother, who has laid his heart bare before You. Lord, we ask that You break the chains of people-pleasing and workaholism in his life. Forgive him for the times he has sought validation from man rather than from You. Remind him daily that his identity is found in Christ alone—that he is Your beloved child, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and called to live for Your glory, not the approval of others.
Give him the courage to make hard decisions in his business, not out of fear of man but out of reverence for You. Help him to lead with wisdom, integrity, and a heart that seeks Your Kingdom above all else. Release him from the lie that his worth is tied to his productivity or the opinions of his employees. Let him find his rest in You, knowing that You are the one who sustains him, not his own efforts.
We pray for his marriage and children, Lord. Protect his family from the enemy’s schemes to distract and divide. Give him a heart that prioritizes his role as a husband and father above his work. Help him to model godly obedience, humility, and dependence on You. May his home be a place where Your peace reigns, where Your Word is honored, and where his family sees the fruit of a life surrendered to Christ.
Father, we ask that You would realign his priorities with Your will. Show him what it looks like to steward his time, energy, and resources for Your Kingdom. Give him the strength to say "no" to the demands of the world and "yes" to Your leading. Help him to walk in freedom, knowing that he does not have to earn Your love—it is already his through Jesus.
We rebuke the spirits of fear, perfectionism, and idolatry that have sought to bind him. In the name of Jesus, we command these strongholds to be broken and cast out. Fill him instead with Your Holy Spirit, that he may walk in the freedom and confidence of a child of God.
Finally, Lord, we thank You that You are faithful to complete the good work You have begun in him (Philippians 1:6). We trust that You will lead him into a deeper relationship with You, where his greatest desire is to hear, *"Well done, good and faithful servant"* (Matthew 25:23). May he live each day with eternity in view, knowing that his labor in You is never in vain.
We ask all these things in the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, we encourage you to meditate on these truths daily. When the temptation to please man or overwork arises, speak Scripture over yourself. Remind yourself that *"If God is for us, who can be against us?"* (Romans 8:31, WEB). Rest in the truth that *"He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus"* (Philippians 1:6, WEB). And remember, *"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You serve the Lord Christ"* (Colossians 3:23-24, WEB).
Walk in freedom, knowing that your labor is not in vain when it is done for Him. We are standing with you in this journey.
